Why Storytelling is Your Leadership Superpower

Walter McKenzie
Jun 8
4 min read

June is Better Communications Month at The Worthy Educator!

Katy McFee is the founder and CEO of Insights to Action, helping women thrive in senior leadership roles. Her mission is to build an amazing community of women and help them create the careers and lives of their dreams. This post was originally shared through her Your Seat at the Table Newsletter. You can contact Katy via email here.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Katy!

I still remember stories that my first boss used to tell. I had this job between 2004 and 2007—20 years ago! I don't remember what our quarterly goals were, the names of my big customers or even the size of my commission cheques.

But the stories have stuck.

My boss was the type of leader who people would run through walls for. A leader who everyone loved.

And he was a great storyteller.

Over time, I noticed that he had a set of stories he would tell over and over. I didn't think much of it at the time, but years later it struck me that this was likely intentional.

And it worked.

Storytelling is one of the most underrated leadership skills. And if you're looking to increase your influence and command a room, it's a skill you should invest in.

So in today's newsletter I'm going to dive into this topic.

Why are stories so powerful?

When you tell a compelling story, you're creating emotional resonance, clarity, and trust. It helps people feel the importance of your idea, not just understand it logically.

And this is important for leaders because it creates connection, and connection is an important factor in your ability to influence.

I'm asked all the time how people can increase their influence, and believe me when I say: stories are an excellent tool to increase your influence among your team or peers. Think of the most charismatic leaders you've worked for. My guess is they possessed this skill.

Harvard Business Review calls storytelling a “strategic tool” for leaders because it helps them inspire, shape culture, and drive action.

Boom.

Here are 3 key benefits to using storytelling in business

Inspiring people, creating connection, shaping culture... there are so many benefits to using storytelling in business. Here are 3 more that are important as a woman who's a senior leader or aspiring executive:

1. Stories help ideas and concepts stick According to Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker, stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone. 22x!! Yes, data and logic make you sound smart, but stories make you memorable. And when you're trying to get buy-in on a new idea or pitch a strategic framework, this is crucial. Not only that, if you're one of the few women in the room (or maybe the only one), a great story will help you make the right impression and cut through the noise.

2. Storytelling helps combat perception bias The hard truth is that women are still often perceived as either too emotional or too cold. (I know, BS) The right story can be so powerful, because it lets you own your narrative and impact how people perceive you. It creates relatability without undermining authority. That’s the magic middle zone where executive presence lives.

3. Storytelling makes you more charismatic Charisma is not something you’re born with, it’s something you can practice. Charismatic leaders are often better at using voice, rhythm, and storytelling to draw people in. The good news is that you can learn to do this too. If you feel like charisma is something other leaders have and you don’t, I promise you that it’s a learned skill. Storytelling is one of the fastest ways to start building it.

What if you don't have a great story?

Here's the thing, you don’t need a “big” story. You need a relevant one.

Some of the most powerful leadership stories are small, everyday moments. It's all about understanding how to frame them.

That meeting where you pivoted your strategy.

That feedback you got that changed how you lead.

That moment you spoke up even when it was uncomfortable.

These stories are leadership in action!

I use a ton of stories when I'm teaching to help drive home my points or ensure people understand a concept. None of these stories stood out at the time as something that was life changing, but they work because anyone can relate to them.

Think about the moments and situations that have shaped you as a leader, made you change your mind or realize something. These are stories that are likely worth sharing.

If you're a woman in leadership - or aiming to be - and want to use storytelling to increase your influence, build trust, and own the room, the next part of this piece is for you. Discover why stories are 22x more memorable than facts, how to combat bias through narrative, and how even small, everyday moments can position you as a charismatic leader.

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